Nigeria’s housing and built environment sectors are under renewed scrutiny as industry leaders call for stricter regulation, professional oversight, and innovative solutions to the nation’s housing deficit.
Speaking on the growing incidence of fraudulent developers, Akintoye Adeoye, President of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), said tackling unethical practices requires a multi-faceted approach, including enforcement of ethics, the establishment of the Real Estate Regulatory Council of Nigeria (RECON), and collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) to protect investments.
Adeoye highlighted key challenges confronting private developers, including bureaucratic bottlenecks in land administration, indiscriminate demolitions, high financing costs, lack of long-term mortgage options, poor infrastructure, and over-reliance on imported building materials. He urged the government to streamline land titling, recapitalize the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and support local building materials production to make homeownership more accessible.
Meanwhile, Lagos residents continue to grapple with soaring rents, with increases of 80–100 percent reported across the city. Despite this, some neighborhoods remain relatively affordable. According to Daily Trust, areas such as Ikorodu, Agege, Alagbado, Egbeda, Ikotun/Igando, Ojo, Mushin, and Ajegunle offer housing options suitable for low- and middle-income earners, though accessibility and safety remain considerations for residents. Real estate expert Ganiyu Idris advised renters to prioritize proximity to workplaces to minimize commuting costs.
In addition, the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) has warned against unlicensed practitioners in the built environment. Outgoing President Mobolaji Adeniyi and incoming President Sani Saulawa emphasized that unregistered individuals compromise structural integrity and public safety. Adeniyi noted that architecture contributes about 6% of Nigeria’s GDP, approximately N6.17 trillion annually, while Saulawa stressed that investigations into building collapses rarely involve certified architects. The institute plans to strengthen public awareness, enforce professional ethics, and improve regulatory oversight.
The call for reforms comes as Nigeria seeks to expand housing stock, promote affordable homeownership, and ensure sustainable urban development. Experts argue that integrated efforts involving government, professional associations, and the private sector are critical to addressing the country’s housing crisis.
